MultiOne 8.4S mini loader review

Imagine a cross between a skid steer, wheel loader and telescopic handler, and you will get the MultiOne mini loader.

Based in Italy, MultiOne began manufacturing its range of compact loaders in the 1990s after spotting a gap in the market for a versatile machine suitable for a wide range of tasks.

Not long after its release, the machine took home the “Best Design and Multifunctional concept” award at leading European agricultural machinery trade show, EIMA held in Bologna, Italy in 1999.

The concept of the MultiOne is simple - one machine does it all with the help of different attachments. Like a Thermomix that replaces all your cooking appliances in the kitchen, the mini loader does the same on your property - eliminating the need to buy and store a multitude of equipment in the shed, hence saving money and space.

MultiOne produces well over 100 attachments to be used with its loaders, from the more common slashers and four-in-one buckets, to the more obscure aerial work platforms and vacuum sweepers.

“The mini loader from MultiOne is designed primarily for running attachments and they're very popular because they have over 170 different attachments available from factory,” said Andrew Arbuckle from Australian Construction Equipment Sales (ACES), which distributes the loaders in Victoria.

“The design from MultiOne is very good for lifting heavy weights, with great lift capacity to weight ratios.”

ACES kindly gave us the opportunity to take the MultiOne 8.4S model for a spin, doing a few jobs on a property with a couple of different attachments, including a general bucket and a mower unit.

MultiOne manufactures its loaders in different capacities, from 10hp units weighing under 400kg to models with 78hp weighing over two tonnes.

According to MultiOne, the 8 series features high torque and speed with an impressive tipping load and is ideal for those who need a little bit more power and comfort to do heavier duty tasks such as loading and bale handling.

The 8.4S, in particular, can reach working speeds of up to 23km/h due to its high power direct drive power radial piston motors. It weighs 1.7 tonnes with a 1.6 tonnes tipping load, and boasts an impressive lift capacity to weight ratio.

“It has a 40hp Yanmar diesel engine and a multifunction joystick, and you can run the majority of the functions off the one joystick,” Arbuckle said.

A key structural feature of the MultiOne loaders is the unique H-beam telescopic boom that Arbuckle said sets the loaders apart from other competitors on the market.

“The boom is very rigid and we don't have any problems with longevity where some other competitors have had problems with their booms,” he said.

For comparison purposes, MultiOne also had the lower-spec 5.3 model on site which Arbuckle said is one of ACES’ bestselling models thanks to its ability to offer power and performance in a smaller package.

With close to 200 attachments available for use with the 8.4S, there’s very little you can’t do with this loader.

First up, we attached the mower to the 8.4S to trim some grass off the property we were testing the loader on.

Attaching and detaching an implement couldn’t be easier on the MultiOne loaders.

The units feature a hydraulic multiconnector which replaces multiple hoses commonly found on tractors.

Instead of having to connect several hoses on the loader’s implement, the operator simply connects the hydraulic coupling on the implement to the connector, allowing operators to detach or install attachments in one swift move.

Detaching the implement is a matter of pulling a lever and removing the hydraulic coupling from the connector. The loader is then ready for use with another chosen attachment.

The loading operation is a breeze, thanks to the 40hp Yanmar engine and 72l/min hydraulic flow giving the machine the power to dig right into the stockpile for efficient loading and unloading.

What’s a bit different on the MultiOne loader compared to some more conventional wheel loaders is the boom that telescopes in and out. It provides a lift height of up to 3m, making the machine ideal for loading trucks or other equipment with higher sidewalls.

Due to their versatility, the loaders have found their niche in some specialised industries such as beekeeping and arboriculture.

“One of the very popular industries we sell into is beekeeping because the machine has a very high lift capacity and takes up very little space, so beekeepers can load the machine sideways on the truck and can therefore carry more hives,” Arbuckle explained.

“We also sell into other unique industries like arborists and then obviously your general construction and small farming.”

The MultiOne range is available with either an enclosed cabin, an open operator’s station, or a ROPS canopy, depending on the model.

An enclosed cabin with air-conditioning and heating is available for the larger models, more specifically the 8.4S and upwards.

Due to the compact nature of the machines, the space in the operator’s station is perhaps not as generous as other wheel loaders on the market, but someone with my dimensions (5 feet 5 inches and a slim frame) will feel right at home in the machine.

However, those with a heftier frame might feel the squeeze especially after driving the machine around for an extended time.

For those planning to operate the machine during the peak of summer, it would be wise to go with the enclosed cabin option with air conditioning to provide some relief in the scorching heat.

The 8.4S features a multifunction joystick which allows operators to control most functions of the attachment and loader using the one joystick.

It uses universal controls, which means operators who’ve driven other heavy machinery before should be able to hop in and start operating straight away.

“The machine's very simple to use as it features ISO controls for the loader arm,” Arbuckle said.

“On the same joystick, we have the function for the auxiliary hydraulics, the telescoping in and out of the arm and also to turn your high flow hydraulics on. You can also switch on diff lock on the same joystick.”

Perhaps the most comparable machine to the MultiOne mini loader is a skid steer, which is usually also compatible with a wide range of attachments.

However, according to Arbuckle, the skid steer lacks in several areas when compared to the MultiOne.

For one, the MultiOne loader has an articulated frame and four-wheel drive which gives the machine greater manoeuvrability and gentler handling on the ground, which is especially important in ground care applications.

“The MultiOne loader won't rip up any grass when it's travelling over it,” Arbuckle said.

Another benefit that Arbuckle pointed out was the MultiOne’s lift capacity, which he said is far superior to a skid steer’s.

“In some cases, it has about twice the lift capacity of a skid steel loader,” he said.

The 8.4S model, without implements included, is priced at $51,000 plus GST. While there’s no hiding the fact it’s not one of the cheapest machines on the market, its plethora of uses and European design and build quality helps justify the price tag.

The 5.3, which is ACES’ more popular model, retails from $37,000 plus GST. Pricing for some of the more common attachments including the general purpose bucket is $1180 plus GST while the mower is priced at $4500 plus GST.

I walked into this test of the MultiOne loader with high expectations and walked away not just impressed but blown away by the endless possibilities the mini loaders present.

While I only had the opportunity to try the machine with a couple of attachments, the ease of use meant I was able to just hop in and start driving, and the easy method of attaching and detaching will help reduce down time for busy operators and farmers.

For a small farm operator who does just about everything on their property including spraying, spreading, ground care, materials handling, and excavating; investing in a MultiOne mini loader is a no brainer.

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